Colleague Dries has been active as a camper coach at Vanomobil Deerlijk for 2 years. Despite his knowledge of campers, he has little experience with traveling itself. Time to change that! In late summer 2023, Dries set off with his childhood friend Michiel to rustic Scotland. It was a beautiful 2-week trip, which they have summarized for us in the report below.
PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY THE WESTFALIA KEPLER AND ARRIVAL IN EDINBURGH (Days 1-3)
Our journey begins on September 1st at 2 AM. We woke up early to take the ferry from Dunkirk to Dover. The crossing was smooth and we were very satisfied with the services of DFDS Seaways!
Once we arrived in Dover, we were greeted by typical British weather and drove the first two hours in heavy rain. After navigating the first roundabouts, we quickly got the hang of driving on the left. Our plan was to drive all the way from Dover to Edinburgh on the first day, a substantial trip of about 760 kilometers on British motorways. After a while, the weather cleared up and we could explore the British landscape from our Kepler. The Kepler performed superbly, and we were both very surprised by the low fuel consumption of the Volkswagen engine.
After an exhausting 12-hour drive, we arrived in sun-drenched Edinburgh. The city boasts charming streets to wander through, cool shops, and numerous stunning architectural highlights, such as the Scott Monument, Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles’ Cathedral, Dugald Stewart Monument, and many more. Each of these buildings instantly transports you back to the Middle Ages. The numerous pubs and whisky shops made our first day in Edinburgh a fantastic one.
But day 2 also promises to be a great day, as we are visiting the city's main attraction: Edinburgh Castle. This fortress dates back to the 11th century and charms around 2 million tourists annually. Shortly after noon, we bid farewell to Edinburgh and officially began our road trip through Scotland. Via the Queensferry Crossing, we drove towards Loch Tummel, where our first campsite, Ardgualich Farm, is located. It is a truly beautiful campsite on the shores of Loch Tummel, but beware: the last part of the road to the campsite is quite challenging, with narrow roads and many bends!
THE QUEEN'S RESIDENCE, A BREATHTAKING NATIONAL PARK, AND WHISKEY TASTING (Days 4-5)
We woke up in peace and quiet after our first night in the Kepler. After a refreshing shower and breakfast, we continued our trip. Passing through Pitlochry, Kirkmichael, and various small villages, we headed towards Balmoral Castle. This castle was the Queen's summer residence for many years. She spent a lot of time here during her life and passed away here in September 2022. Visiting the castle itself was not possible because, yes, the King of England, Charles, was staying there at that time.
We took a short, brisk hike to visit a cairn in the woods around Balmoral. A cairn is similar to a pyramid and was used in the past to mark the top of a hill. After that, we drove through the breathtaking Cairngorms National Park to our second campsite in Nairn. We stayed at Barrow Campsite, which is located next to a farm and has a small shop where you can buy local products. The pitches are spacious, with a bit of greenery, and each one has its own water tap. For us, this was an excellent location. In the meadow adjacent to the campsite, Highland Cows roam, and if you're lucky, they might come and say hello.
The next day, we have something planned that we are both very excited about: whiskey tasting! We booked a visit to the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, as this distillery is one of the most famous and largest in Scotland. The guided tour is highly recommended and lasts about an hour and a half, followed by a tasting. For the drivers reading this, don't worry! Drivers can take their samples with them in small bottles. It's also good to know that the cost of a bottle of whiskey is much cheaper at the distillery than in whiskey shops in cities like Edinburgh
STROLLING THROUGH CHARMING TOWNS AND VILLAGES AND PHENOMENAL VIEWS (Days 6-7)
We first decide to visit the city of Inverness and stroll through its streets. We end up in Leakey’s Bookshop, a stunning bookstore and highly recommended! Then we continue our journey along the NC500, following this route to Golspie, where we stop to visit the enchanting Dunrobin Castle.
From Golspie, we cross through the Highlands to Ullapool. Along the way, we encounter beautiful landscapes and are continuously amazed. This trip will always be memorable due to the sudden café we stumbled upon in the middle of nowhere, where we enjoyed a delicious beer.
We spend the night at Ardmair Point Touring Park, and the next day we head towards the Isle of Skye, one of the major attractions in Scotland. The drive takes about 3 hours, but it is more than worth it: the roads and landscapes along the way are phenomenal. You officially reach the Isle of Skye when you cross the famous Skye Bridge. We immediately start exploring the eastern part of the island and make a stop in the fishing village of Portree. We enjoy an ice cream and a coffee with a view of the colorful houses by the water—simply delightful!
ISLE OF SKYE: THE HOTSPOT FOR HIKERS WITH A LOT OF HISTORY (Days 8-9)
We get up early to start around 8 AM for the island’s highlight, The Old Man of Storr. This 2.8 million-year-old rock formation is near Portree. With determination, we begin the steep 5 km hike, which takes about an hour to an hour and a half depending on how often you stop and enjoy the view. Be cautious, as it is a challenging hike requiring some fitness, and it can be quite slippery near the top, so it's recommended for more experienced hikers! Besides the challenging terrain, we also faced a lot of mist and wind during our hike. While this might seem like a setback, it actually added to the experience: we felt like we were in a scene from Lord of the Rings. For both of us, it was one of the highlights of the trip, both literally and figuratively!
We continue on the Isle of Skye, heading towards the northern part of the island. Along the way, you'll pass numerous beautiful waterfalls, charming bridges, and breathtaking views. Next, we head to Dunvegan, where you can visit one of Scotland’s most beautiful castles: the still-inhabited Dunvegan Castle. (The MacLeod Clan has been residing there since the 13th century!) After that, we drive to the furthest point, Neist Point, a former lighthouse. The road to it is very narrow and challenging but fantastic to cruise along, and entirely doable with the practical Kepler. (PS: It’s best to avoid this road if you’re traveling with a large motorhome!)
Next stop: Fort William! This village is located at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the United Kingdom. Fort William is known as a hotspot for hikers, as it is where the famous West Highland Way trail ends. A few kilometers further is Glenfinnan. It may not be as well-known, but it’s famous for the viaduct where the Hogwarts Express from Harry Potter travels. And yes, it still runs! Three times a day, it crosses the viaduct, and you can see steam rising from the old train—a spine-tingling moment for all Harry Potter fans. Not far from there, you can also visit some film locations, including Dumbledore’s grave.
TIME TO RELAX WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS AND BEAUTIFUL HIKES (Days 10-13)
We spend the final days in Scotland in one of the most famous regions: Glencoe and its renowned valley. The area offers expansive panoramic views that look straight out of a postcard. There are several viewpoints in the valley that are definitely worth visiting: Loch Achtriochtan, the Three Sisters of Glencoe, The Meeting of Three Waters, Devil’s Staircase, Wee White House, and the Kingshouse Hotel, where you might spot some deer.
There are dozens of hikes available with varying levels of difficulty. Check out the Glencoe Visitor Center to find a hike suited to your preference. We also tackled a challenging 8-kilometer hike to The Lost Valley and back, which included a significant elevation gain. There isn’t a marked path, so consult a hiking map or simply follow the river to reach your destination. We spent the past few nights at Invercoe Caravan & Motorhome Park. It’s a very clean campsite with lovely pitches, tidy facilities, and close to the water. All of this made it the perfect place for us to stay for 3 nights.
Tired but satisfied, we head back towards Dover with a stop halfway in York. This small medieval town features an impressive cathedral, charming streets, and plenty of places to eat and drink. After a wonderful 14-day road trip through Scotland, we conclude our adventure back in Belgium with about 3,720 kilometers on the clock and, of course, fries from the local chip shop. It was a true adventure for both of us, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a trip that will stay with us forever, and we will fondly look back on it with nostalgia!
- Thank you, Dries, for sharing this interesting report and for providing the accompanying photos!
